Response from Logistics UK to the removal of planning consent requirement for EV charge points

Friday 30 May 2025

The Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP has announced changes which will make it simpler and cheaper to install electric vehicle charging points for businesses and consumers. Stephanie Haszczyn, Senior Policy Manager at Logistics UK responds:

“The government’s announcement, that businesses will no longer require planning consent to install electric vehicle (EV) charge points, is a welcome, pragmatic step forwards for the logistics sector as the industry looks to decarbonise. This decision will remove barriers for our member businesses which are investing in the vital infrastructure needed to decarbonise, and reduce unnecessary delays and costs.

“Our industry is committed to decarbonising and is already making significant strides in transitioning away from fossil fuels. As an industry that underpins the entire UK economy, we want to see regulation that supports the net-zero transition for logistics, not slow it down.

“However, planning reform is not enough. Challenges remain as there is still an urgent need to upgrade the electricity grid and provide sufficient power to logistics businesses, many of which are situated away from city-centre locations. This upgrade will be vital to ensure these organisations have access to the power they need both now and in the future: without it, there is real risk that the sector will be unable to meet decarbonisation targets, despite the investment and will to do so.”

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk

The full government announcement can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/less-paperwork-more-chargepoints-government-cuts-red-tape-to-make-it-easier-quicker-and-cheaper-to-switch-to-evs